Lessons From the Front Line of Fighting Gender Inequity
Authors: Luci K. Leykum
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2023)

Ideas and OpinionsFebruary 2023Lessons From the Front Line of Fighting Gender InequityLuci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MScLuci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MScSouth Texas Veterans Health Care System, Harbor Health Team, and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (L.K.L.)Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M22-3213 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail In 2019, I filed a federal lawsuit against my then employer alleging both a violation of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and its retaliation in response to my speaking up about my salary. The actions that led to the lawsuit began in 2016. I sought legal counsel soon thereafter but was reluctant to take formal action. My lawyers warned me that I could be isolated within my institution, and that efforts would likely be made to negatively portray me. Legal action might drag on for years, greatly favoring the institution with its deep pockets and expertise. Future potential employers ...References1. Butkus R, Serchen J, Moyer DV, et al; Health and Public Policy Committee of the American College of Physicians. Achieving gender equity in physician compensation and career advancement: a position paper of the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2018;168:721-723. [PMID: 29710100] doi:10.7326/M17-3438 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Catenaccio E, Rochlin JM, Simon HK. Addressing gender-based disparities in earning potential in academic medicine. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5:e220067. [PMID: 35179582] doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0067 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Gottlieb AS, Jagsi R. Closing the gender pay gap in medicine. N Engl J Med. 2021;385:2501-2504. [PMID: 34670039] doi:10.1056/NEJMp2114955 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Marcotte LM, Arora VM, Ganguli I. Toward gender equity in academic promotions. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181:1155-1156. [PMID: 34251397] doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.3471 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Ganguli I, Sheridan B, Gray J, et al. Physician work hours and the gender pay gap — evidence from primary care. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1349-1357. [PMID: 32997909] doi:10.1056/NEJMsa2013804 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Whaley CM, Koo T, Arora VM, et al. Female physicians earn an estimated $2 million less than male physicians over a simulated 40-year career. Health Aff (Millwood). 2021;40:1856-1864. [PMID: 34871074] doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00461 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Velazquez AI, Gilligan TD, Kiel LL, et al. Microaggressions, bias, and equity in the workplace: why does it matter, and what can oncologists do. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2022;42:1-12. [PMID: 35649205] doi:10.1200/EDBK_350691 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Periyakoil VS, Chaudron L, Hill EV, et al. Common types of gender-based microaggressions in medicine. Acad Med. 2020;95:450-457. [PMID: 31688038] doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000003057 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. American College of Physicians. Being an upstander for women in medicine. Accessed at www.acponline.org/advocacy/where-we-stand/women-in-medicine/being-an-upstander-for-women-in-medicine on 12 December 2022. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Luci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MScAffiliations: South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Harbor Health Team, and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (L.K.L.)Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article do not represent an official position of the Department of Veterans Affairs or of Dr. Leykum's affiliated organizations.Acknowledgment: The author thanks Ms. Janet Bickel for her thoughtful and formative feedback on this manuscript.Financial Support: Dr. Leykum receives salary support from the Department of Veterans Affairs.Disclosures: The author has reported no disclosures of interest. The form can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M22-3213.Corresponding Author: Luci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MSc, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, Medicine Service, San Antonio, TX 78229; e-mail, Luci.[email protected]utexas.edu.Author Contributions: Conception and design: L.K. Leykum.Drafting of the article: L.K. Leykum.Critical revision for important intellectual content: L.K. Leykum.Final approval of the article: L.K. Leykum.This article was published at Annals.org on 3 February 2023. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics February 2023Volume 176, Issue 2Page: 272-273KeywordsAcademic medicineSexual and gender issues ePublished: 3 February 2023 Issue Published: February 2023 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2023 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...